Customer Reviews

Fifty Hikes in the Hudson Valley: From the Catskills to the Taconics, and from the Ramapos to the Helderbergs

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Two weekends ago, a friend and I decided to enjoy the fall foilage by doing some hiking. We picked up "50 Hikes in the Hudson Valley" and were on our way. We chose to hike Mount Taurus, outside of Cold Springs (Hike #7). We carried the book with us, and never strayed from marked areas. Nonetheless . . .

BY TRYING TO FOLLOW THIS BOOK'S INSTRUCTIONS, WE ENDED UP STUCK ON MOUNT TAURUS IN THE COLD, DARK NIGHT FOR FOUR HOURS!!! If we had not had cell phones, and if the Cold Springs rescue team had not been as fabulous as it was, we would probably be dead.

The worst part, was that after the rescue team pulled us off Mount Taurus, they told us that during the last year FIVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE had been rescued -- after trying to hike using this book!

Unsurprisingly, I would advise that NO-ONE buy this book.

The writeups on the hikes are entertaining and informative. There is a considerable amount of history, botanical, and geological information here. I have found that when hiking the descriptions are not always accurate. Some of the landmarks, for example, didn't seem to be where they are explained. Also, some of the color markings for certain trails are either inaccurate or outdated. I recommend it as a good place to start for suggestions on places to hike. However, I would try to obtain more up to date maps or guides of the specific areas you're interested in before venturing out.

I know the Catskills very well. And I will tell you that this book is among the very best when it comes to the Catskills. I don't know about the Hudson Valley area too much except to say that those are the areas that change the most. But the Catskills don't change that much--because it's all state forest preserve and Forever Wild. Still a good deal for enthusiast, especially at the price! Kick's History and original research has been copied by many other writers.

Fabulous--No matter if it's outdated. This book was written over 20 years ago, and has had no field updates (except for a contrived new edition foisted off by the publisher).
If only guidebooks of today were written as well--
A must for any serious hiker of the hudson Valley and the catskills!

This book is over 20 years old. The "new" author who joined Peter and Barbara did not update the book, as required by Backcountry contract, and the publisher didn't enforce it. so what you have here is essentially a 20-plus year old book with 2 newer hikes than the original edition and NO updated field information. The book is also out of print. Still, it remains an excellent book if used intelligently.

Why would Amazon allow/encourage reviews of out of print books as if they were current books? Of course such reviews are going to be come in from disoriented, angry hikers. Consider this.

Come On! This book is 20 years old and people are reviewing it as if it's new! DUH! This book needs to be taken off the list, but Amazon doesn't want to do that, and why? Because they still have books to sell. Nevermind the fact that it draws stupid reviews from all sorts of idiots who think that material this old should still be accurate. Duh, Duh, duh, people.

I can't fully judge this book yet, but if the first hike we did was any indication, this book isn't worth it. We tried the Storm King hike (#9 I believe), and there was no trail to speak of. We managed to trail blaze a way up to the top of Butter Hill, but could not find the supposed yellow blazed trail at all. After searching for over an hour, we gave up and headed back. Very disappointed.

My friend and I have attempted five of the hikes described in Kick's book, and there have always been difficulties. Often, the trail continues accordingly, the scenery reflecting what Kick has described. Once you are deep into the wilderness, quite isolated from civilization, the descriptions in the book no longer match what you are seeing: yellow trails, red trails, blue trails, all disappear, (...) My advice to those courageous enough to use this imaginary hiking guide: bring a week's worth of water and provisions, and a cell phone. Perhaps this book needs serious updating - or termination of publishing. Good luck and God bless.

I agree with the other commentaries. The book is outdated. Trailheads and trails have changed too much to use this book.

It is good for finding Hikes - but take a hiking map with you (from Appalachian Mountain Club or elsewhere) and have a better day.